What Happens During The First Half of the Tribulation?
The first 3.5 years of the Tribulation, known as the beginning of sorrows (Matthew 24:8), will be a time of false peace, deception, and escalating judgments as the Antichrist rises to power.
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1. The False Peace Begins
“He shall make a strong covenant with many for one week.” (Daniel 9:27)
•The Antichrist brokers a 7-year peace treaty with Israel, allowing them to rebuild the Temple and reinstate sacrifices.
•This will be seen as a miraculous diplomatic achievement, solving Middle East tensions.
•1 Thessalonians 5:3 warns, “While people are saying, ‘There is peace and security,’ then sudden destruction will come upon them.”
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2. The Four Horsemen Are Unleashed (Revelation 6:1-8)
The first four seals reveal the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, signaling the beginning of divine judgment:
White Horse (Antichrist’s Deception) – A rider with a bow but no arrows rises, conquering peacefully through diplomacy (Revelation 6:2).
Red Horse (War and Bloodshed) – Peace is shattered as global conflicts erupt into wars and violence (Revelation 6:4).
Black Horse (Famine and Economic Collapse) – Hyperinflation and food shortages ravage the world (Revelation 6:5-6).
Pale Horse (Death and Hades) – Disease, wild beasts, and sword kill a fourth of the world’s population (Revelation 6:8).
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3. The Rise of the One-World Government and Religion
“And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.” (Revelation 13:7)
•The Antichrist consolidates global power, forming a totalitarian system.
•A false world religion emerges, led by the False Prophet (Revelation 13:11-15).
•The Temple sacrifices resume in Jerusalem.
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4. The First Wave of Divine Judgments (Seal Judgments: Revelation 6:9-17)
Fifth Seal (Martyrs for Christ) – Millions who refuse the Antichrist’s system are killed for their faith, crying out for justice (Revelation 6:9-11).
Sixth Seal (Cosmic Disturbances) – A great earthquake, blackened sun, blood-red moon, and falling stars terrify the world (Revelation 6:12-14).
Seventh Seal (Silence Before the Storm) – Heaven falls silent for 30 minutes as the next judgments prepare to be released (Revelation 8:1).
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5. The Seven Trumpet Judgments Begin (Revelation 8-9)
Hail, Fire, and Blood – 1/3 of the earth’s vegetation is burned (Revelation 8:7).
Mountain of Fire – A massive object crashes into the sea, killing 1/3 of marine life (Revelation 8:8-9).
Wormwood – A fiery star poisons 1/3 of the world’s fresh water (Revelation 8:10-11).
Darkness – 1/3 of the sun, moon, and stars are darkened (Revelation 8:12).
Demonic Locust Plague – Creatures from the abyss torment unbelievers for 5 months (Revelation 9:1-11).
Four Fallen Angels Released – A demonic army kills 1/3 of mankind (Revelation 9:13-19).
The Kingdom Announcement – Heaven declares that Christ’s reign is near (Revelation 11:15).
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6. The Two Witnesses Preach in Jerusalem
“I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days.” (Revelation 11:3)
•Two mysterious, powerful prophets (likely Moses and Elijah) proclaim judgment and repentance for 3.5 years.
•They perform miracles, calling down fire from heaven (Revelation 11:5-6).
•The world hates them and celebrates when the Antichrist kills them at the midpoint (Revelation 11:7-10).
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7. The Midpoint Approaches
•The Antichrist consolidates power.
•The Temple is rebuilt.
•Satan is about to be cast down to Earth (Revelation 12:9).
•The Abomination of Desolation is imminent (Matthew 24:15).
The Great Tribulation is about to begin. Are you ready?
”Behold, I am coming soon.” (Revelation 22:12)